Is Ridgewood safe?
Huntington, West Virginia · safety score updated nightly
Yes — it is one of the safer places in the metro to walk around.
VibeLoco rates Ridgewood as “Go”.
Gogo's take on Ridgewood
“Go. Ridgewood is a peaceful, well-established residential enclave nestled in the hills of south Huntington that is exceptionally safe compared to central parts of the city. Visitors will find quiet, tree-lined streets with virtually no street crime, though a vehicle is necessary to explore the area.”
About the area
Ridgewood is a quiet, leafy residential neighborhood located on the hillsides south of central Huntington. Known for mid-century single-family homes, low traffic, and wooded surroundings, it offers a tranquil retreat just minutes from Ritter Park and Marshall University.
- Quiet Residential
- Wooded Hillside
- Car-Dependent
- Peaceful / Suburban
Walking and biking in Ridgewood
Walk score: 14/100 · Bike score: 18/100
There are no dedicated bike lanes and steep, winding grades make recreational biking challenging; the Paul Ambrose Trail for Health (PATH) is accessible a short drive downhill near Ritter Park.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Significantly lower violent and property crime rates compared to Huntington citywide averages
- High homeownership rate with stable, well-maintained single-family properties
- Peaceful, low-traffic residential environment with scenic hillside greenery
Cons
- Completely car-dependent with no commercial amenities inside the residential borders
- Narrow, winding, and hilly roads with limited or no sidewalks
- Reliance on downtown Huntington or Hal Greer Boulevard for dining and basic retail services
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is virtually nonexistent in Ridgewood due to its secluded, purely residential hillside topography; services and encampments are situated in downtown Huntington.
What Ridgewood is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Very calm and safe, with occasional neighborhood dog walkers and residents commuting out for work.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Quiet and peaceful throughout the day with minimal vehicular traffic on residential streets.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Settled and secure, with pleasant, shaded roads winding through the neighborhood.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Extremely quiet and dark due to sparse street lighting, but safety risks remain very low.
Transit, parking and getting around
Public transit is provided by Tri-State Transit Authority (TSTA), but fixed routes primarily run along main corridors in the valley rather than winding interior hill streets, making a car necessary.
Parking is completely free and easy, primarily via private residential driveways, with ample, unrestricted street parking available on wide sections of residential roads.
Things to do in Ridgewood
- Take a quiet morning walk along the scenic, forested residential roads of the South Hills
- Visit nearby Ritter Park for walking trails, tennis courts, and the renowned rose garden
- Enjoy birdwatching and seasonal foliage views from the elevated hill vantage points
Local favorites
- Jim's Steak & Spaghetti House · American Restaurant · 4.6★ (2350)Historic Huntington landmark nearby serving classic spaghetti, steaks, and strawberry pie.
- The Peddler · Brewpub & Burger Joint · 4.5★ (1180)Popular downtown spot a short drive away offering house-brewed craft beer and gourmet burgers.
- Cicada Books & Coffee · Coffee Shop & Bookstore · 4.8★ (420)Cozy independent bookstore offering espresso drinks, local baked goods, and community events.
Scores are safety-driven — recent reported crime and local news plus Census income, poverty, housing, education, household and access data — refreshed nightly. Walk and bike scores are shown separately and do not affect the safety score. A guide, not a guarantee — conditions change street to street.